We received a notification today that the Australian Government has released issues papers for, and called for comments to, the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) review.

While full details will not be released until later in the year, there is every sign that this latest MODL review will result in serious, lasting changes to the Australian General Skilled Migration (GSM) program which is why we are advising all our clients to lodge their visa applications as soon as possible.

Why is the MODL being reviewed?

Since its introduction in 1999, amendments to the MODL have not been uncommon. They typically take place approximately every 6 months and result in occupations being both added and removed from the list (with the number of occupations added usually outweighing the number of occupations removed).

However, it has been almost 18 months since the last MODL review. In that time, the Government has instead concentrated on introducing other methods of further targeting the skill needs of Australia, such as the launch of the Critical Skills List (CSL) in January, 2009.

However, on the back of the CSL being introduced, the Government sent clear signals that this new MODL review would be significant, due to the general feeling that the MODL was no longer sufficiently responsive.

What changes can be expected to come from this MODL review?

The details of the review are still being decided upon, but due to such factors as the current economic climate, the need for the GSM program to respond to future skill needs and the desire for a more integrated migration process, we anticipate that some (or possibly all) of the following changes will take place:

• Occupations will be removed from the MODL.
• The Critical Skills List will remain in place while the review is in progress and then be phased out following the implementation of any recommendations flowing from the review.
• The MODL will be integrated with the CSL and possibly the points test too, creating one, all-encompassing migration tool that will determine exactly which occupations will be most in demand, the points allocation for these occupations and the according processing timeframes.
• The older ASCO (Australian Standard Classification of Occupations) will be replaced by the ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations).

When will the MODL review be decided upon and the changes introduced?

The results of the review are scheduled to be handed to the Australian government in October, 2009 but it’s currently impossible for us to say how quickly the changes will then be put into action. Given that the nature of the project is to make the MODL more immediately responsive though, we can assume that once the changes have been agreed upon, they will be implemented sooner rather than later.

What does Visa Bureau advise applicants to do at this time?

At a time of such uncertainty, speed is of the essence, especially for clients whose occupation is currently listed on the MODL.

Also, while the ANZSCO mirrors the ASCO fairly closely in terms of its depth of classification, it can’t be guaranteed that every occupation will be accounted for when the replacement is made (providing another good reason for applicants in more specific jobs to move quickly before the MODL review takes place).

Further information will be announced on our blog as and when we receive it, but for now, the message that all visa applicants should take is to work quickly towards lodging their visa application, if they have not already done so. 

- Lauren Mennie is Casework Department Manager of the Australian Visa Bureau.

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Even after the changes made to sponsored Australia visa criteria on 1 July (as covered in this blog), yet more amendments have been made to the sponsorship criteria for the following states.

Western Australia 

The WA State Migration Centre has informed the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) of the following changes to WA Sponsorship:

English Requirements for Accountants

From 24 July, the WA State Migration Centre (SMC) requires all Accountants seeking state sponsorship to achieve a score of at least 7.0 in all four components of their International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. This applies to all applications lodged after this date including Graduate Students and applications from citizens from the following countries: UK, USA, Ireland, Canada and New Zealand.

Work Experience

Also from 24 July, the State Migration Centre (SMC) requires that all applicants who are required to demonstrate recent work experience must have worked for at least 12 months in the last 24 months in their nominated occupation they are seeking state sponsorship for.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Since 1 July, ACT have not been accepting applications for state sponsorship.  Unfortunately, any potential applicants will need to wait for the new ACT sponsorship list and policy to be announced.

South Australia

Sponsorship List

While we were under the assumption that South Australia were going to be making changes to their sponsorship list on 1 July, they've temporarily reverted back to the previous sponsorship list. However, it's still very hard to say what further changes can be expected and whether they'll be temporary or permanent measures, so it is still advisable for anyone looking for state sponsorship to apply for nomination as soon as possibe

Additionally, we've heard that South Australia are closing the capital investment scheme on 31 October. The capital investment scheme was re-opened on 29 January 2009, but with it set to be closed again, it's vital applicants who indicated they intended to lodge a capital investment  finalise their capital investment before the scheme is closed.

- Lauren Mennie is Casework Department Manager for the Australian Visa Bureau

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Following on from my Australian immigration blogs regarding the changes coming from DIAC and the changes coming from the assessing bodies, I'd now like to discuss the changes that will be implemented by some of Australian States and Territories on 1 July.

South Australia state sponsorship changes

The current South Australia sponsorship lists are dated as being valid from 1 April - 30 June.  While they've yet to release anything officially, I think it can be assumed that a new set of provisional and permanent sponsorship lists for South Australia will be released on 1 July.

Western Australia English language requirement changes

Western Australia have stated the following on their website:

"The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has announced that from 1 July 2009 ALL offshore skilled visa applicants, other than those who are citizens of the UK, USA, Ireland, Canada or New Zealand, must obtain a score of at least 6 in each component of the IELTS test. When lodging a State sponsorship application, all applicants that are required to provide IELTS test results are now required to provide an eligible IELTS test result at time of application."

As a result, from 1 July, all applicants required to provide International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test results at any other stage of the visa application stage must also make sure to do so when applying for Western Australia state sponsorship.

ACT state sponsorship changes

The current Australian Capital Territory (ACT) sponsorship lists are set to close on the 1 July, and any ACT state sponsorship application received after this date will NOT be approved unless the application meets the criteria established by the new list that is set to be released mid-July.

Other State and Territory changes

As evident in the planned 1 July changes and the recent sponsorship list updates made by Queensland, the Australian States and Territories under pressure to react to the new demand created as a result of state sponsored visa applications receiving priority 1 processing status. However, it's still very hard to say what further changes can be expected and whether they'll be temporary or permanent measures, so it is still advisable for anyone looking for state sponsorship to apply for nomination as soon as possibe.

- Lauren Mennie is Casework Department Manager for the Australian Visa Bureau

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Following on from my Australian immigration blog regarding the changes coming from DIAC, I'd now like to discuss the changes that will be implemented by some of the key Australian skills assessing bodies on 1 July.

Changes from the TRA

Trades Recognition Australia (or TRA) is the body that assesses whether the skills of certain tradespeople on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) are sufficient to be eligible for an Australia visa.

TRA processing times changed

As covered in a previous blog post, Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) recently made the following statement:

"Changes to Processing Times

From 1 July 2009 Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) will introduce additional quality assurance arrangements to improve the integrity of its assessments. As a result processing times will change.  It is expected that most applications will be assessed within 30 working days."

The processing times for TRA skills assessments used to typically be 10 working days for occupations listed on the Migration Occupations in Demand (MODL) list, and 20 working days for all other occupations, so the standard 30 working days for all applications is an important change.

New TRA application form

Additionally, they have stated that applications MUST be made using the new TRA application form, and any applications made using an old version of the form will NOT be accepted.

Changes from the ANMC

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (or ANMC) is the body that assesses whether the skills of internationally-qualified nurses are sufficient to be eligible for an Australia visa, and the news regarded changes to the English language requirements placed on all ANMC assessment applicants. They will be making a number of changes to their processes on 1 July.

ANMC English language requirement increased

There are English language requirements as part of the Australian visa basic requirements set by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), but we were alerted to the following recent addition to the 'Frequently Asked Questions' section of ANMC's website:

"CHANGES TO ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING REQUIREMENTS AS OF 1 JULY 2009 FOR ALL INTERNATIONALLY-QUALIFIED NURSES AND MIDWIVES

As of 1 July 2009, all internationally-qualified nurses and midwives applying for assessment to the ANMC under the general skilled migration scheme will be required to complete an English proficiency test. New Zealand registered nurses and midwives are exempt from providing English proficiency under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997.

A pass level of 7 in all four bands of the IELTS Academic test or a B level in all four bands of the OET will be required in one sitting. The test will be valid for a period of two years."

Essentially, this announcement means that all nurses applying through the ANMC will be required to complete an academic English language test before lodging their skills assessment. For more information, refer to our previous blog post regarding the new English language requirements for nurses.

ANMC application fee increased and new ANMC application form 

Additionally, a new fee will apply to all ANMC applicants applying after 1 July, 2009.  The following fees will of July 1, 2009 the following fees will apply:

• Full Assessment - AU$690.00
• Modified Assessment - AU$210.00

Additionally, there will also be a new ANMC application form that must be used by all applicants from 1 July.

Changes from other Skills Assessing Bodies

While I've covered all the major changes that have been announced, it's still possible that the other major Australian Skills Assessing Bodies have changes planned. Further updates will be released on the blog as and when they happen.

- Lauren Mennie is Casework Department Manager for the Australian Visa Bureau

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

While we've already covered a number of the Australian immigration changes that are all set to come into action on 1 July, I think it's worth summarising all of the changes before they take effect.

From application fee increases and form amendments made by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to skills assessing bodies changing their eligibility critera and Australian States and Territories adjusting their sponsorship lists, the changes are numerous and sure to have a lasting effect on Australian emigration.

I'll cover each of these changes in turn, beginning with a look at the changes that are coming from DIAC on 1 July and what effect they could have on the Australian skilled visa process:

Visa application charges increased

It was announced that as part of the Australian Government’s 2009/10 Budget, a number of visa application charges would be increased by as much as 20 per cent from 1 July 2009 (as covered in a previous blog post).

As a result of the Australian Government releasing Form 990i, we can now confirm that the skilled visa application fee will be AU$2,525 as of 1 July 2009.

Additionally, the application fees for spouse/family visas (i.e. subclasses 100, 110, 300, 309 and 310) saw the same 20 per cent increase, and rose from AU$1,420 to approx. AU$1,705.

The new visa application fees for some common skilled and family visas will be as follows:

VISA TYPE	NEW FEE (AU DOLLARS)
Skilled - Independent (subclass 175)	$2,525
Skilled - Sponsored (subclass 176)	$2,525
Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 475)	$2,525
Spouse (including de facto couples) (subclass 309/100)	$1,705
Interdependent (subclasses 310/110)	$1,705
Prospective Marriage (subclass 300)	$1,705
Contributory Parent – Migrant (subclass 143)	$1,705
Contributory Parent – Temporary (subclass 173)	$1,705
Child (subclass 101)	$1,705
State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (Provisional) (subclass 163)	$3,360
New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (subclass 461)	$230

Visa application forms changed 

Additionally, 1 July will also see a number of changes to DIAC forms.  The difference between these new forms and the old ones might be fairly minimal, but it is still advisable that any applicants make sure to use the right form when lodging, otherwise it may be returned and the process could be delayed.

For the full list of changed forms, check the DIAC site.

Assurance of Support

An Assurance of Support (AoS) is required to cover the primary visa applicant and other family members included in the application for some family sponsored visas, such as the Contributory Parent (subclasses 143/173) visa and occassionally the Spouse (subclasses 309/100) visa.

The AoS is a mandatory requirement which must be met prior to visa grant by the Australian citizen or permanent resident acting as an applicant's assurer. One of the criteria is that the assurer must meet a certain 'income threshold'.  The income threshold will be raised from 1 July and we are making the assumption that the assurer will have to earn more in order to qualify as an eligible assurer under the new criteria.

Increased English language requirement for tradespeople

Previously, skilled migration tradespeople who were NOT passport holders of the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada or New Zealand were required to achieve what was termed a 'vocational' level of English, which required a score at least 5.0 out of 9.0 in each of the 4 competencies (listening, reading, writing and speaking) of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test.

However, from 1 July 2009, the vocational level will cease to exist, and these same applicants must now score a higher score of at least 6.0 out of 9.0 in each of the 4 competencies (which is termed a 'competent' level of English).

Visa grants expedited by the Australian High Commission

In a recent communication with the Australian High Commission in London, the feedback we received was that they were holding off on granting any further visas until 1 July. After 1 July, we are hoping these visa grants should start steadily coming through.

- Lauren Mennie is Casework Department Manager for the Australian Visa Bureau

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

In the midst of many updates to the Australian immigration process, the new Queensland Sponsorship Lists were announced today. Many changes were made to both the Permanent Sponsorship List (which applies to applicants for the Skilled Sponsored visa (subclass 176, State) visa) and the Provisional Sponsorship List (which applies to applicants for the Skilled Regional Sponsored visa (subclass 475, State) visa), with many occupations being remvoed.

Note: While these new Queensland Sponsorship Lists are now in effect, Queensland will honour any applications from occupations using the old Sponsorship Lists until 7 July.

The new sponsorship lists can be found by going direct to the Queensland government site pages linked below:

• Queensland Permanent Sponsorship List (subclass 176)
• Queensland Provisional Sponsorship List (subclass 475)

Alternatively, see below for tables showing all the occupations that have been removed and added to both lists:

Queensland Permanent Sponsorship List (subclass 176) changes

REMOVED FROM QUEENSLAND PERMANENT SPONSORSHIP LIST (SUBCLASS 176)	ADDED TO QUEENSLAND PERMANENT SPONSORSHIP LIST (SUBCLASS 176)
Quantity Surveyor	Engineering Manager
Mechanical Engineer	Electrical Engineer
Chemical Engineer	Anaesthetist
Computing Professional specialising in: CISSP Data Warehousing J2EE Java Javascript Networking and Internet Security Sybase SQL Server	Dermatologist
Optometrist	Emergency Medicine Specialist
Secondary School Teacher (All)	Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Urban and Regional Planner	Ophthalmologist
Environmental Health Officer	Paediatrician
Building Associate	Pathologist
Architectural Associate	Specialist Physician
Civil Engineering Associate	Psychiatrist
Civil Engineering Technician	Radiologist
Mechanical Engineering Associate	Surgeon
Mechanical Engineering Technician	Specialist Medical Practitioners (nec)
Chef	Registered Mental Health Nurse
Fitter	Registered Developmental Disability Nurse
Metal Machinist (First Class)	Occupational Therapist
Metal Fabricator	Speech Pathologist
Pressure Welder
Welder (First Class)
Sheet Metal Worker (First Class)
Motor Mechanic
Automotive Electrician
Panel Beater
General Electrician
Electrician (Special Class)
Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Mechanic
Carpenter and Joiner
Carpenter
Joiner
Fibrous Plasterer
Solid Plasterer
Wall and Floor Tiler
Stonemason
Floor Finisher
Baker

Queensland Provisional Sponsorship List (subclass 475) changes

QUEENSLAND PROVISIONAL SPONSORSHIP LIST (SUBCLASS 475)	ADDED TO QUEENSLAND PROVISIONAL SPONSORSHIP LIST (SUBCLASS 475)
Construction Project Manager	Mechanical Engineer
Project Builder	Production or Plant Engineer
Information Technology Manager	Optometrist
Architect	Secondary School Teacher - Mathematics
Surveyor	Secondary School Teacher - Science
Electronics Engineer	Fitter
Materials Engineer	Metal Machinist (First Class)
Aeronautical Engineer	Metal Fabricator
Biomedical Engineer	Pressure Welder
Industrial Engineer	Welder (First Class)
Accountant
Market Research Analyst
Advertising Specialist
Systems Manager
Systems Designer
Software Designer
Applications and Analyst Programmer
Systems Programmer
Computer Systems Auditor
Medical Practitioner: Anaesthetist Dermatologist Emergency Medical Specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Ophthalmologist Paediatrician Pathologist Specialist Physician Psychiatrist Radiologist Surgeon Specialist Medical Practitioner (nec)
Registered Mental Health Nurse
Registered Developmental Disability Nurse
Dental Specialist
Industrial Pharmacist
Occupational Therapist
Speech Pathologist
Podiatrist
Dietitian
Pre Primary School Teachers
Vocational Education Teacher
Welfare Worker
Community Worker
Educational Psychologists
Organisational Psychologists
Legal Practitioner - Barrister
Legal Practitioner - Solicitor
Urban and Regional Planner
Surveying and Cartographic Associate
Plumbing Engineering Associate
Computing Support Technician
Parole or Probation Officer
Youth Worker
Residential Care Officer
Disability Services Officer
Family Support Worker
Ambulance Officer
Intensive Ambulance Paramedic
Locksmith
Vehicle Painter
Electrical Powerline Tradespersons
General Electronic Instrument Tradesperson
Electronic Instrument Tradesperson
Roof Slater and Tiler
Bricklayer
Painter and Decorator
General Plumber
Gas Fitter
Drainer
Roof Plumber
Mechanical Service and Aircon Plumber
Binder and Finisher
Cabinet Maker

There also seems to be some additional criteria that will apply, specifically relating to English language requirements (where an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test may be necessary for some applicants) and also to the work history for applicants in some listed occupations (which would be a new sponsorship critera for visa applicants looking to emigrate to Queensland through the state sponsorship route).

We are investigating into these changes and well provide updates as and when we have them.

- Lauren Mennie is Casework Department Manager for the Australian Visa Bureau

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

Priority visa processing is a topic we keep going back to, but given the impact it's had on the Australian emigration process and that we've recently received an official update on priority processing from the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), it still seems worth writing about.

I'm referring specifically to a piece of correspondence sent by DIAC to some applicants who are still in the process of lodging their application for General Skilled Migration. In it, DIAC made it very clear that priority visa processing is here to stay until at least the end of the program year in 2010.

The letter emphasised that visa applications will continue to be processed in the following order:

1. Employer sponsorship;
2. State or Territory sponsorship;
3. An occupation on the Critical Skills List (CSL);
4. An occupation on the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL); AND
5. All other applications in date of lodgement order.

Unsurprisingly, employer and government sponsored visa applications will continue to be given the utmost priority, as well as applicants who are CSL-listed (i.e. Groups 1-3 on the processing priority order).

However, DIAC also stated the following in regards to when the other Groups would enter processing:

"It is unlikely at this stage that applications which fall in Groups 1-3 will be exhausted in the 2009-10 Migration Program year and processing of Groups 4 and 5 will be delayed until this has occurred."

Therefore, any Group 4 or 5 applicants will be forced to continue waiting for at least another year, unless they apply for and receive sponsorship from an Australian employer, State or Territory.

While this might be unfortunate news for the many Group 4 or 5 applicants who have been waiting for some hope from DIAC, it at least comes as a sign that priority processing is here to stay. One of the most difficult parts of working with the Australian emigration process is being unsure which parts of the process are permanent and those that are 'flash-in-the-pan' stop-gap initiatives.

With the assurance that priority processing will be fixed for at least the next year, this gives us the chance to work with it and help our clients continue through the process.

The DIAC correspondence also provided a good reminder for any Accountants or Computing Professionals who are applying for Australian emigration. Both these nominated occupations are CSL-listed, but are subject to further criteria. Remember though, it's not enough to just meet these criteria; you've got to make sure you let DIAC know too!

CSL criteria for Accountants 

Accountants (ASCO: 2211-11) are only eligible for Group 3 priority if they have:

• Provided evidence of 'Proficient English'; OR
• Completed a Professional Year in Australia through the Skilled Migration Internship Program Accounting (SMIPA) program.

Even though British, American, Canadian, New Zealand and Republic of Ireland passport holders are automatically assigned a level of 'Competent English', they are required to score 7.0 in each component of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test in order to demonstrate evidence of 'Proficient English'.

If you are an Accountant and you are now able to provide evidence of your IELTS test result with a score of at least 7.0 in each component, you can email DIAC directly or use the post lodgement enquiry system with this evidence attached to receive CSL status and be acknowledged as a Group 3 priority applicant.

CSL criteria for Computing Professionals

If your nominated occupation is Computing Professional (ASCO: 2231-79) but you do not have a MODL-listed computing specialisation, then you will not be eligible to be CSL-listed and receive Group 3 processing priority.

However, to make sure you don't 'fall between the cracks', make sure you let DIAC know that you have one of these specialistions by using the post lodgement enquiry system.

- Lauren Mennie is Casework Department Manager for the Australian Visa Bureau

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

When the announcement was made as part of the 2009-10 Budget that the fees were set to increase as of 1 July 2009, no confirmation was given regarding exactly which visa charges the increase would apply to.

Through thoroughly researching all the materials made available following the announcement, we predicted that the increase would apply to the visa application charges of skilled visas (i.e. subclasses 175, 176 and 475), and result in a full 20 per cent increase, leading to the skilled visa fee rising from AU$2,105 to AU$2,525.

Today, our prediction was proved correct through the formal release by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) today of Form 990i, which details all the application fees as they will be from 1 July and confirms that the skilled visa application fee will be AU$2,525 as of 1 July 2009.

Additionally, the application fees for spouse/family visas (i.e. subclasses 100, 110, 300, 309 and 310) saw the same 20 per cent increase, and rose from AU$1,420 to approx. AU$1,705.

Comparably, the fee increases for the skilled and spouse/family visa subclasses weren't quite as substantial as they were for other subclasses; for example, the contributory parent (migrant) visa subclass went from having a first instalment fee of AU$1,420 and second instalment fee of AU$32,725 to a first instalment fee of AU$1,705 and a second instalment fee of AU$34,330. As a result, it's essentially an increase of almost AU$2,000 per applicant (or approx. AU$3,500 for a couple).

I understand that this news will come as another source of frustration to our clients and the many applicants who will be affected by this price increase, but there's very little that can be done.

While the increased cost of emigrating to Australia can be avoided by ensuring you lodge your application so that it reaches DIAC before 1 July, there's no way that an applicant lodging after this date will be able to avoid the new fee structure.

- Lauren Mennie is Casework Department Manager for the Australian Visa Bureau

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.

One issue that we covered briefly upon its announcement as part of our blog on the 2009/10 Australian budget is the increased English language requirement for applicants for Australian visas who work in trades-related occupations.

Previously, skilled migration tradespeople who were NOT passport holders of the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada or New Zealand were required to achieve what was termed a 'vocational' level of English, which required a score at least 5.0 out of 9.0 in each of the 4 competencies (listening, reading, writing and speaking) of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test.

However, from 1 July 2009, the vocational level will cease to exist, and these same applicants must now score a higher score of at least 6.0 out of 9.0 in each of the 4 competencies (which is termed a 'competent' level of English). While additional restrictions are being applied to many aspects of the visa application process, the removal of English language concessions for tradespeople does raise some questions that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) haven't yet addressed.

As far as I have seen, the only public remarks they have made on the changes are as follows (as sourced from this page on the DIAC website):

"The aim of the GSM Program is to select migrants who, because of the skills they possess, are more likely to find skilled employment shortly after they arrive in Australia. A high level of English language ability is recognised as being essential for achieving this objective.

The English language requirement for GSM applicants nominating a trade occupation will be increased to a minimum of 6.0 (Competent English) in each of the four components of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. This increase in the IELTS score brings the English language requirement for trade occupations in line with other occupations for GSM visas, with trade occupations previously exempt from GSM changes introduced in September 2007."

While DIAC's arguments that they are trying to improve the employability of new migrants and are simply bringing the English language requirements for tradespeople in line with other occupations has some merit, it still feels like more justification is needed.

For example, is the English language level being raised due to a safety factor? It's possible that tradespeople without good English language skills could be perceived as a hazard, given the inherent danger present on any building site or workplace where power tools are used and the necessity for clear, concise communication at all times in such situations.

However, at the moment, there is so much room for interpretation that it's very hard for us to know exactly what sparked the changes.

Regardless of whether DIAC give any further reasoning for their decision, the fact remains that after 1 July, it is going to be much harder for many skilled workers to demonstrate their eligibilty for an Australian visa when they would have previously qualified. There's little advice that I can give, except to emphasise how important it is for anyone who might be affected to lodge their Australian visa application ASAP, if possible.

- Lauren Mennie is Casework Department Manager for the Australian Visa Bureau

©Visa Bureau 2003-2009

Visa Bureau takes no responsibility and cannot be held accountable for action taken as a result of any information or comment provided on this blog, and we recommend that you always seek a number of opinions before making a decision regarding your migration or visa application. Please refer to the Visa Bureau terms of use for more information.